At the heart of Texas’ rising influence on global fashion stands Tohan Bibianè—fashion designer, creative entrepreneur, and founder of Texas Cast Academy (TCA) in Houston and creative director for Bibianè New York . Known as the “Juilliard of modeling and acting” for kids and teens, TCA has cultivated a reputation for demanding both artistic and academic excellence.
But the story doesn’t stop in the classroom. Under Bibianè’s leadership, Texas Cast Academy students have graced the runways of New York Fashion Week, Paris, Milan, and the Cannes Festival, walking for world-renowned designers such as Michael Cinco. Many have appeared in commercials, films, and shows like Ryan’s World, proving that Texas talent can hold its own on the world’s biggest stages.
As Bibianè prepares to expand Texas Cast Academy from its Houston headquarters to Dallas and Austin, she is not just scaling a business—she’s building a movement that places Texas firmly in the global fashion conversation.
Your brand, Texas Cast Academy, is already a force in Houston, and now you’re expanding into Dallas and Austin. What does this growth represent for you—not just as a business move, but as a cultural statement about Texas’ place in the global fashion conversation?
Expanding into Dallas and Austin isn’t just business—it’s culture. Texas isn’t just participating in fashion, we’re leading in it.
Texas Cast Academy is like the Juilliard of modeling and acting for kids and teens. We hold high standards: every student must maintain at least a B+ average, and last school year we celebrated 100% honors across the board. At the same time, these students are walking for designers like Michael Cinco, gracing stages at NYFW, Paris, Milan, Cannes, and still excelling in the classroom.
“We’re raising scholars who shine on the world’s runways.”
You’ve just returned from New York Fashion Week where your designs and models captivated audiences. How did that experience reshape your perspective on what’s possible for your brand, and what do you want to bring back from NYC to your Texas community?
New York Fashion Week was electric. Watching our students perform at that level reminded me that there are no limits for Texas talent. One standout this season was Alice Limon—her discipline, artistry, and grace really captured the audience and showed what’s possible when preparation meets opportunity. But I’m just as proud of every single student who walked that runway—they all rose to the occasion with professionalism beyond their years.
And our students aren’t just runway stars. They’ve been in movies, commercials, and shows like Ryan’s World, and they’ve opened for global icons like Michael Cinco. They are performers in every sense and are truly blessed to be having the kind of childhood that prepares them for greatness.
“Alice shined bright in New York, but the truth is—every TCA student is trained to shine on any stage, anywhere in the world.”
Texas Cast Academy has a unique identity that merges local roots with international appeal. How do you preserve authenticity while scaling into new markets that each have their own cultural and creative energy?
Every city has its own pulse, and we honor that. Dallas and Austin bring their own creative rhythm, but what doesn’t change is our core: discipline, artistry, and education.
Our students have already proven themselves internationally—Paris, Milan, Cannes—and yet they remain grounded by the same standards we uphold in Texas classrooms.
“Excellence may travel the world, but it’s trained right here in Texas.”
Your work isn’t only about clothing and runway moments—it’s also about the models, the community, and the opportunities you create. How do you see Texas Cast Academy empowering the next generation of talent in Houston, Dallas, and Austin?
TCA is about more than runway—it’s about building whole people. We balance artistry with academics, requiring a B+ or higher while opening global doors. Our kids have won Model of the Year titles in LA and NYC, opened for Michael Cinco, and performed at the most prestigious festivals in the world.
They’re also featured in film, television, and major brand campaigns. They’re growing up not just as models, but as artists and achievers, fully prepared for whatever future they choose.
“We’re not just shaping talent—we’re shaping futures.”
Your designs have resonated worldwide, yet you continue to build and expand in Texas. What keeps you grounded here, and how do you envision your brand’s global reach growing while still keeping Texas at the core of your story?
No matter how global we become, Texas is the heartbeat. Our students are walking runways in Paris, Milan, Cannes, and New York, but they’re still honors students right here at home.
Texas will always be our foundation. The world may see the performances, but we see the discipline, the schoolwork, and the community that makes it possible.
Texas Cast Academy is more than an institution—it’s a movement redefining what’s possible when education and artistry intersect. From the classroom to the catwalk, TCA students are showing the world that discipline, talent, and academic excellence can coexist with international acclaim.
As Tohan Bibianè expands into Dallas and Austin, her vision remains clear: to raise not just models, but leaders, scholars, and global storytellers who reflect the spirit of Texas while shining on stages across the world.
At TCA, the message is simple yet profound: Texas is our runway, and the world is our stage.
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